Corn-crib.



' R. D. RALSTON.

CORN CRIB. APPLIUATION FILED FEBJO, 191D.

Il, 'rf

Patented May 3, 1910.

ROBERT D. RALSTON, OF WILSCOT, GEORGIA.

CORN-CRIB.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 10, 1910.

Patented May 3, 1910. serial No. 543,034.

To all whom tt may concern:

Be it known that I, ROBERT D. RALsToN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilscot, in the county of Fannin and State of Georgia, have invented a new and useful Corn-Crib, of which the following is a specification.

It is the object of this invention to provide a corn-crib which shall be proof against the inroads of rats and other rodents which commonly invest such structures.

Another object of the invention is to provide a corn crib having an outstanding platform about its periphery, the platform being so constructed that rodents cannot find their Way over the latform into the structure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a closure of novel and improved form, the closure constituting a means for supporting the steps whereby ascent to the structure is had.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel means for' limiting the pivotal movement of the closure. Another object of the invention is to unite the steps with the closure for the door-way, in a novel and improved manner.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, delineated in the drawings and specifically claimed, it being understood that changes, properly falling within the scope of what is claimed, may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

Similar numerals of reference are einployed to denote corresponding parts throughout thev several gures of the draw- 11'1 S.

n the accompanying drawings,-Figure 1 shows the invention in front elevation, the closure being in place, and parts of the structure being broken away; andV Fig.l Qis a vertical transverse section upon the line A B of Fi 1, the closure, however, being tilted out o the structure, to serve as an approach to the door-way.

The corn crib may be vfashionedv in any desired manner. In the present instance, a frame is constructed,th e same consisting of a front sill 1, side sills 2, anda rear sill 3. The frame is supported upon posts 4;, and auxiliary sills 5 are secured to the adjacent faces of the side sills 2. These auxiliarfly sills 5 serve to Vsupport the door 6, Thev oor 6 may be fashioned in any desired manner, provided that it is so constructed that it is absolutely tight, and proof against the inroads of rodents.

Resting upon the sills 1, 2 and 3, and outstanding a considerable distance beyond them, is a platform 7 This platform'may be constructed in a variety of ways. If desired, it may be constructed from hard wood, smooth and polished, to present an anti-fric tion surface upon which the rodents can acquire no foot-hold. Likewise, if desired, the platform 7 may be fashioned from any available material and coveredlwith tin, or other sheet metal to present, as before, a smooth surface. It will be seen that this outstanding platform 7 will adequately prevent rodents from creeping up the o-utside of the structure to find their way therein.

The superstructure 8 of the corn crib may be builtaccording to the eXigencies of the particular case, and to suit the taste of the builder. In the present instance it is of the ordinary slatted construction. The front sill l is out away as denoted by the numeral 9 upon its upper face, to receive the doorjambs 10, which are built into the superstructure 8. The doorway is adapted to be closed by a plate 11 which, at its lower end, is connected by hinges 12 to the cut away portion 9 of the front sill 1.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the platform 7 is broken in front of the doorway to the crib, there bein'ga shoulder 14 upon the plate 11, constituting a part of the platform 7 when the plate 11 is positioned .as a closure. Upon the inner face of the plate 11 are mounted steps 15, of any desiredconstruction. Bolts 16 or other -retaining elements, are extendedthrough the shoulder 14C, and through the plate 11, to engage the steps 15, thus serving as a means for holding both the'shoulder 14C and the steps 15 upon the plate. Disposed transversely of the plate 11 upon its outer face, is a U shaped handle 17, adapted for the manipulation of the plate 11 and having its extremities extended through the plate and into the steps 15, the han le thus serving to hold the steps in place upon the late. Any simple locking device 18 may e employed to hold the plate 11 in position to serve as a closure for thedoor-way.

may be tilted Ainto inclined position in ront of the crib, to rest at its free end, upon the l ground. when the plate is thusv tilted, the

As seen most clearly'in Fig: 2, the late` have provided a corn crib which will adel quately protect its contents, and, at the same time, equipped the same with a closure, adapted to serve, at the will of the operator,

y as an-approach to the structure.

imperforate structure.

For the sake of illustration, I have applied my invention specically to a corn crib, but it is to be understood that the structure of the class described may include buildings of any sort which it is desired to protect against rodents.

`In the foregoing description, and in the claims, the element 11 is described as av plate; but this is not to be construed as meaning that the member 11 must of necessity be an The member 11 may be of any form adapted to exercise its function, to wit, to serve as a closure of such a character as shall be commensuratel with the purposes for which the building is intended.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is 1. A building provided adjacent its bottom with an outstanding platform extended entirely around the building and having anti-friction surfaces.

2. A structure of the class described provided adjacent its bottom with an outstanding platform, and having a doorway; a plate hinged at its lower end to the structure to serve as a' closure for the doorway and to serve as an inclined approach to the doorway; there being a shoulder upon the plate constituting a part of the platform when the plate is positioned as a closure.

3. A structure of the class described provided adjacent its bottom with an outstanding platform, and having a doorway; a plate hinged at its lower end to the structure to serve as a closure for the doorway and to serve as an inclined ap kroach to the doorway; there being a shou vder upon the plate constituting a part of the platform when the plateis positioned as a closure; stairs'carried by the plate; and retaining elements uniting both the shoulder and the stairs with' the plate.

4;'. A structure of the class described provided adjacent its bottom with an outstanding platform, and having aV door-way; a plate hinged at its lower end to the structure to serve as a closure for the door-way and to serve as an inclined approach to the doorway; there being a shoulder upon the plate constituting a part of thev platform when the plate is positioned as a closure, and serving as a stop to engage the structure when the plate is positioned as an inclined appreach.. l

5. A structure of the class described provided adjacent its bottom with an outstanding platform, and having a door-way; a plate engage the structure when the plate is inclined; and steps mounted upon the plate to be housed within the structure when the plate is positioned as a closure.

6. A structure of the class described provided adjacent its bottom with an outstanding platform, and a door-way; a plate hinged at its lower end to the structure to serve 'as a closure for the door-way and ada ted to be disposed in inclined position in front of the structure; there being a shoulder upon the plate constituting a part of the platform when the plate is positioned as a closure, and serving as a stop to engage the structure when the plate is inclined; steps mounted upon the plate to be housed within the structure when the plate is positioned as a closure; and retaining elements engaging the shoulder, the plate and the 1 ste s.

il? A structure of the class described provided adjacent its bottom with an outstanding platform, and having a door-way; a I plate hinged at its lower end to the structure to serve as a closure for the door-way and ada ted to be disposed in inclined position in ront of the structure; there being a shoulder upon the platform constituting a part of the platform when the plate is positioned as `a closure, and serving as a stop to .engage the structure when the plate is inclined gV steps mounted upon the plate to be housed within the 'structure when the plate is positioned as a closure; and a handle for the manipulation of the plate, engaging Y the plate and the steps.

8. A structure of the class described provided adjacent its bottom with an outstanding platform and having a door-way; a plate hinged at its lower end to the structure to serve as a closure for the door-way and adapted to be disposed in inclined position in front of the structure; there being a shoulder upon the platform constituting a part of the platform when the plate is positioned asa closure, and serving as a stop to enga e the structure when the plate is incline; steps mounted upon the plate to be housed within the structure when the plate is positioned as a closure; retaining elements engaging the shoulder, the plate and the steps; and a handle for the manipulation of the plate, engaging the plate and the steps. j

9. A structure of the class described rovided with a door-way; a plate hinge at its lower end to the structure to serve as a.

closure for the door-way andl to serve asl an inclined approach to the door-way; steps mounted upon the plate to be housed within the structure when the plate is positioned as a closure; a shoulder mounted upon the plate, and serving as a stop to engage the structure when the plate 1s positioned as an inclined approach; and retaining elements engaging the shoulder, the plate and the steps.

10. A structure of the class described provided with a door-way; a plate hinged at its lower end to the structure to serve as a closure for the door-way and to serve as an inclined approach to the door-way; steps mounted upon the plate to loe housed within the structure when the plate is positioned as a closure; a shoulder mounted upon the plate, and serving as a stop to engage. the structure when the plate is positioned as an inclined a proach; and a handle for the manipulation of the plate, engaging the plate and the steps.

1l. A. structure of the class described provided with a door-way; a plate hinged at its lower end to the structure to serve as a closure for the door-way and to serve as an inclined approach to the door-way; steps mounted upon the plate to be housed vwithin the structure when the plate is positioned as a closure; a shoulder mounted upon the plate, and serving as a stop to engage the structure when the plate is positioned as an inclined approach; retaining elements engaging the shoulder, the plate and the steps; and a handle for the manipulation of the plate, engaging the plate and the steps.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aHiXed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT D. RALSTON.

Witnesses:

W. W. WooDY, W. E. SWEARINGEN. 

